And I turn away, because he has no right to look at me this way. Like he knows me. Like I know him. Like I could shake the world to its core and he would just laugh, and watch.
30
‘What do you think?’ Elaith asks, twirling around in front of the mirror.
I glance up from my book. ‘Very nice.’
‘You said that about the last eight dresses.’
‘Eighteen,’ I mutter.
‘I heard that. Now be honest, which one do you prefer?’
‘The red one,’ I say, turning a page.
‘They’reallred, Blaze!’ cries Elaith, throwing up her hands in frustration. ‘Oh, Spinner, thank Gods you’re here. Blaze is being about as helpful as that cat she insists on carting around everywhere.’
My kitten fixes its pale-blue eyes on Elaith, affronted.
‘Don’t listen to her,’ I murmur, stroking her ears. She lies back down and goes to sleep on Elaith’s pillow.
Spinner folds her arms, looking Elaith up and down. ‘No,’ she says at last. ‘No, this simply won’t do. You must look your best tonight.’
Tonight the emperor is throwing a banquet, but unlike any other banquet, the list of attendees is far smaller than usual, consisting only of the remaining Heirs, their trainers and the Crowned Council. It’s now exactly a week until the secondtrial. Time keeps on slipping away, and every day I try my best to ignore the nerves gnawing incessantly at my insides.
After sifting through the pile of discarded dresses, Spinner pulls out a red chiffon gown fringed with teardrop garnets. She helps Elaith into it, cocking her head to the left, then the right. ‘I think we can make this work.’
And she does. Tearing off a bit here, pinning up a bit there, altering the neckline, adjusting the hem. By the time she’s finished, it could be an entirely different dress. The bodice is now shapely and sleeveless, the skirts, simple and unappealing before, are now shorter and ruched, flaring out impressively just above the knee.
‘I love it!’ Elaith squeals, sweeping around the room as though dancing with an invisible partner. ‘Spinner, you’re a genius.’
My chaperone bobs a curtsy. ‘I thank you. But my work here is not yet done. You,’ she calls, pointing at me. ‘Up.’
Grumbling, I get to my feet just as the door opens and Elva appears clutching a long dress made from indigo satin.
Elaith smiles when I emerge from behind the screen. ‘Gorgeous,’ she says.
Spinner nods approvingly. ‘I really am good.’
Elva seems distracted as she weaves pearls through my braids, as if something is troubling her. Perhaps our conversation about her past dug up painful memories.
‘Are you all right?’ I whisper as Spinner and Elaith gossip loudly about someone I’ve never heard of.
She doesn’t meet my gaze.
‘Is His Imperial Handsomeness coming to escort you tonight, Blaze?’ Spinner calls.
‘I don’t know,’ I say, holding still while Elva dusts my cheekbones with shimmering silver powder. ‘I haven’t seen him for a while.’
It’s true. Hal has been absent from the evening festivities during the past few days. More Council meetings. More roses. There’s no use in denying that I miss him. And I miss the way I feel when I’m with him. The wayhemakes me feel.
Elva bows her head and slips silently from the room. My kitten sidles over to me, and I reach down and pick her up.
‘Have you still not come up with a name for it?’ Elaith asks, handing me a glass of champagne.
‘Her,’ I correct. ‘And no. I told Renly I would write to him as soon as I do.’
He and Grandmother had returned to Harglade Hall a couple of days previously. Saying goodbye hurt just as much the second time as it did the first.
